Nectarine tree named &#39;fire time&#39;

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree,  Prunus persica , broadly characterized by a small size, moderately vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, very productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms during the mid to late season and requires about 650 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in the beginning of August, with first picking on Aug. 1, 2010. The fruit is uniformly large in size, acidic and sweet in flavor, globose to slightly oblong in shape, clingstone in type, firm and melting in texture, mostly red in skin color, and yellow in flesh color.

BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION

Prunus persica

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘FIRE TIME’

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, I, theinventor, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum,apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. I also grow a lesser number ofopen pollinated seeds of each of these fruits, usually to capturerecessive traits. The present invention relates to a new and distinctvariety of nectarine tree, which has been denominated varietally as‘FIRE TIME’.

The present variety was hybridized by me in 2004 as a first generationcross using ‘Western Pride’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,888) nectarine asthe selected seed parent and ‘Grand Bright’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,494)nectarine as the selected pollen parent. The fruit of this cross wasgathered that summer, and the seeds were removed, cracked, stratified,germinated, and grown as seedlings on their own root in my greenhouse.Upon reaching dormancy the seedlings were transplanted as a group to acultivated area of my experimental orchard located near Le Grand,Calif., in Merced County (San Joaquin Valley). During the fruitevaluation season of 2007 I selected the present variety as a singletree from the group of seedlings described above. Subsequent toorigination of the present variety of nectarine tree, I asexuallyreproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimental orcharddescribed above, and such reproduction of plant and fruitcharacteristics were true to the original plant in all respects. Thereproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented)rootstock upon which the present variety was compatible and true totype.

The present variety is similar to its seed parent, ‘Western Pride’nectarine, by producing nectarines that are firm, large in size, andacidic in flavor, but is distinguished therefrom by producing fruit thatis clingstone instead of freestone, that has a higher degree of red skincolor, and that matures about one week later.

The present variety is similar to its pollen parent, ‘Grand Bright’nectarine, by producing nectarines that are nearly full red in skincolor, clingstone in type, firm in texture, and acidic in flavor, but isdistinguished therefrom by producing fruit that matures about threeweeks later.

The present variety is most similar to ‘Summer Fire’ (U.S. Plant Pat.No. 7,506) nectarine by producing nectarines that are nearly full red inskin color, clingstone in type, acidic in flavor, and large in size, butis distinguished therefrom by having a large instead of small blossom,by being more productive, and by producing fruit that matures about 5days later.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

In summary, the present nectarine variety is characterized by a smallsize, moderately vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, very productive andregular bearing tree. The variety blooms during the mid to late seasonand requires about 650 chilling hours. The fruit matures under theecological conditions described in the beginning of August, with firstpicking on Aug. 1, 2010. The fruit is uniformly large in size, acidicand sweet in flavor, globose to slightly oblong in shape, clingstone intype, firm and melting in texture, mostly red in skin color, and yellowin flesh color.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned todisplay the characteristics of the skin color and form, two slicedfruits to reveal the flesh, two insets to reveal buds and a blossom, andcharacteristic leaves.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics ofthis new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has beenobserved under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand,Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), California, and was developed at thestate of firm ripe on Aug. 7, 2010, on the original tree during itssixth growing season. The blossom and flower descriptions were made theprevious blooming season. All major color code designations are byreference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau ofStandards. Common color names are also used occasionally.

It is to be noted that the climatic conditions in 2010 led to delayedfruit ripening for most of the season, up to ten days during the earlyseason and five days during the late season. This should be taken intoaccount when comparing to other variety descriptions made referencingdifferent years. However, the relative blooming times and ripening timescited in this application are accurate for 2010, and should remain aboutthe same in future years.

-   Parentage:    -   -   Seed parent.—‘Western Pride’ nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No.            10,888).        -   Pollen parent.—‘Grand Bright’ nectarine (U.S. Plant Pat. No.            16,494).-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Medium, reaching and maintaining a height of 8′ [2.44            m.] and a spread of 6′ [1.83 m.] after six growing seasons            utilizing typical dormant pruning.        -   Vigor.—Moderate vigor, responding typically to irrigation            and fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of            surplus top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant            should be grown on a standard commercial rootstock for            production purposes.        -   Growth.—Upright and dense.        -   Form.—Pruned to a central leader type.        -   Hardiness.—Hardy with respect to central California winters.        -   Heat tolerance.—Observed to perform adequately in typical            central California climatic conditions, which typically            include extended periods of heat.        -   Drought tolerance.—Variety is developed for commercial            orchards and requires regular irrigation.        -   Production.—Very productive, thinning usually necessary.        -   Fertility.—Self-fertile.        -   Bearing.—Consistent bearer with no alternate bearing yet            observed.        -   Approximate chilling requirement.—650 hours.        -   Trunk.—Size. — Medium, reaching a maximum diameter of 2¼″            [57.2 mm.] after the sixth growing season. Texture. —            Shaggy. Bark Color. — A Moderate brown [58. m.Br] and Dark            grayish brown [62. d.gy.Br] variegation with Light yellowish            brown [76. 1.yBr] crevices present. Lenticels. — Approximate            Number Per Square Inch: 8. Color: Dark orange yellow [72.            d.OY]. Average Size: 5/16″ [7.9 mm.]. Shape: Eye-shaped,            elongated.        -   Branches.—Size. — Diameter of first side limb is ¾″ [19.1            mm.] measured 12″ from the central leader. Texture. — Fairly            smooth on first and second year wood, increasing roughness            with age. Color. — 1st Year Wood Topside: Grayish red [19.            gy.R]. 1st Year Wood Underside: Brilliant yellow green [116.            brill.YG]. 2nd Year Wood: Strong brown [55. s.Br]. Older            Wood: A Deep brown [56. deep Br] and Dark grayish yellowish            brown [81. d.gy.yBr] variegation. Lenticels. — Number Per            Square Inch: About 80 on second year wood. Color: Moderate            orange yellow [71. m.OY]. Size: 1/32″ [0.8 mm.] to 3/32″            [2.4 mm]. Shape: Eye-shaped, elongated.        -   Leaves.—Size. — Medium. Average Length: 5⅜″ [136.5 mm.].            Average Width: 1 7/16″ [36.5 mm.]. Arrangement. — Alternate.            Thickness. — Medium. Form. — Elliptical. Apex. — Acuminate.            Base. — Acute with an average base angle of 80 degrees.            Surface. — Smooth. Color. — Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive            green [125. m.OlG]. Ventral Surface: Moderate yellow green            [120. m.YG]. Margin. — Finely serrate. Venation. — Pinnately            net veined. Vein Color. — Light yellow green [119. 1.YG].            Petiole. — Average Length: 7/16″ [11.1 mm.]. Average            Thickness: 1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Brilliant yellow green            [116. brill.YG]. Stipules. — Number: Usually 2 per leaf, up            to 6 per growing tip. Average Length: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Color:            Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG] becoming Deep            yellowish brown [75. deep yBr] with age. Glands. — Number:            Mostly 2 to 4 per leaf. Position: Mostly alternate,            positioned near the intersection of the petiole and base of            blade. Size: Small. Form: Appear as globose when young, but            taking on a reniform shape with maturity. Color: Brilliant            yellow green [116. brill.YG] becoming Dark yellowish brown            [78. d.yBr] with age. Leaf Buds. — Pointed, medium in size.        -   Flower buds.—Hardiness. — Half-hardy, with respect to            central California winters. Diameter. — Typically ⅜″ [9.5            mm.] 1 week before bloom. Length. — Typically 11/16″ [17.5            mm.] 1 week before bloom. Form. — Not appressed. Surface. —            Pubescent. Tip Color. — Light pink [4. l. Pk].        -   Flowers.—Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single            pistil, about thirty stamens, five sepal and petal locations            alternately positioned. Type. — Showy, large. Average Flower            Diameter. — 2″ [50.8 mm.]. Number of Petals. — Usually five,            extra petal fragments are occasionally observed. Petal            Shape. — Circular to oval. Petal Margin. — Entire, slightly            wavy. Average Petal Diameter. — ¾″ [19.1 mm.]. Average Petal            Length. — ¾″ [19.1 mm.]. Petal Apex. — Rounded. Petal Base.            — Rounded to somewhat truncate. Petal Color. — Mostly Pale            purplish pink [252. p.pPk] on both sides with some Moderate            purplish pink [250 m.pPk] coloration on some. Anther Color.            — Moderate reddish orange [37. m.rO] over a Light yellow            [86. l.Y] center at bloom onset. Stigma Color. — Pale yellow            green [121. p.YG]. Sepal Color. — Dark purplish red [259.            d.pR] on the outer surface. Sepal Length. — ¼″ [6.4 mm.].            Sepal Width. — 3/16″ [4.8 mm.]. Sepal Apex. — Rounded to            elliptical to match the sepal length and width. Sepal            Margin. — Fairly smooth. Average Pistil Length. — 13/16″            [20.6 mm.]. Average Stamen Length. — 11/16″ [17.5].            Fragrance. — Moderate. Blooming Period. — Mid to late            seasonal, four days after ‘Grand Bright’ (U.S. Plant Pat.            No. 16,494) nectarine. Onset of Bloom. — One percent on Feb.            27, 2010. Date of Full Bloom. — Mar. 8, 2010. Duration of            Bloom. — One to two weeks, dependent on ambient temperature.            Number per cluster. — 1 to 3 with single flowers most            common.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe, Aug. 7, 2010.        -   Date of first picking.—Aug. 1, 2010.        -   Date of last picking.—Aug. 10, 2010.        -   Size.—Uniform, large. Average Diameter Axially. — 3⅛″ [79.4            mm.]. Average Diameter Across Suture Plane. — 3″ [76.2 mm.].            Average Diameter Across Cheek Plane. — 2 15/16″ [74.6 mm.].            Typical Weight. — 9 ounces [255 grams].        -   Form.—Uniform, globose to slightly asymmetrical.            Longitudinal Section Form. — Mostly oval. Axial View. —            Round.        -   Suture.—A shallow groove inside the stem cavity, a shallow            trough along the side, and a shallow groove toward the apex            extending past the pistil point.        -   Ventral surface.—Rounded, lipped throughout, slightly            stronger toward the apex.        -   Lips.—Somewhat unequal.        -   Cavity.—Flaring, slightly elongated in the suture plane,            suture showing on one side, Brilliant yellow [83. brill.Y]            stem markings present. Depth. — ⅝″ [15.9 mm.]. Breadth. —            1⅛″ [28.6 mm.].        -   Base.—Rounded to truncate.        -   Apex.—Rounded.        -   Pistil point.—Apical, negligible in length, mostly depressed            within the suture.        -   Stem.—Medium. Average length. — ⅜″ [9.5 mm.]. Average Width.            — 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].        -   Skin.—Thickness. — Medium. Surface. — Smooth. Tenacity. —            Tenacious to flesh. Astringency. — Slightly astringent.            Tendency to Crack. — None observed in dry season. Color. —            Deep red [13. deep R] smoothly blending into a Deep reddish            orange [36. deep rO] background with some Very deep red [14.            v.deep R] mottling spots and Moderate orange yellow [71.            m.OY] freckling stronger toward the apex.        -   Flesh.—Color. — Very yellow [82. v.Y] with some Deep red            [13. deep R] streaking throughout. Surface of Pit Cavity. —            Covered with Strong red [12. s.R] broken fibers when twisted            from stone. Amygdalin. — Moderate. Juice. — Abundant, rich.            Texture. — Firm, tough, melting. Fibers. — Abundant, fine.            Ripens. — Fairly evenly, slightly earlier at the apex.            Flavor. — Acidic, strong nectarine flavor, typically 14            brix. Aroma. — Slight. Eating Quality. — Very good.-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone.        -   Form.—Oval.        -   Hilum.—Narrow, oblong.        -   Base.—Slightly oblique to round.        -   Apex.—Rounded with a ⅛″ [3.2 mm] sharp tip.        -   Sides.— Equal.        -   Surface.—Irregularly furrowed and ridged toward the apex,            pitted from the middle to the base.        -   Ridges.—Jagged.        -   External color.—Moderate reddish brown [43. m.rBr].        -   Pit wall color when cracked.—Moderate reddish brown [43.            m.rBr].        -   Cavity surface color.—Strong brown [55. s.Br].        -   Average pit wall thickness.—¼″ [6.4 mm.].        -   Average width.—1¼″ [31.8 mm.].        -   Average length.—1 11/16″ [42.9 mm.].        -   Average breadth.—⅞″ [22.2 mm.].        -   Tendency to split.—Slight.        -   Kernel.—Form. — Oval. Skin Color. — Brilliant yellow [83.            brill.Y] when first removed. Pellicle Color. — Grayish brown            [61. gy.Br]. Vein Color. — Light orange yellow [70. 1.OY].            Taste. — Sweet. Viable. — Yes. Average Width. — 9/16″ [14.3            mm.]. Average Length. — 13/16″ [20.6 mm.]. Amygdalin. —            Scant.-   Use:    -   -   Market.—Fresh market and long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Good. Fruit quality observed to remain in            good condition after 21 days in standard cold room at 36°            Fahrenheit [2° Celsius].        -   Shipping quality.—Good.        -   Resistance to insects.—No unusual susceptibilities noted.        -   Resistance to diseases.—No unusual susceptibilities noted.

Other Notes

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the describedcharacteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., inthe central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected thatvariations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas withdifferent climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varyingcultural practices.

1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantially asillustrated and described, that is most similar to ‘Summer Fire’ (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 7,506) nectarine by producing nectarines that are nearlyfull red in skin color, clingstone in type, acidic in flavor, and largein size, but is distinguished therefrom by having a large instead ofsmall blossom, by being more productive, and by producing fruit thatmatures about 5 days later.